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I got an Edison Model A a few weeks ago and was excited to restore it. When I got it, everything worked but when the reproducer was placed down it would slow to a stop. I assumed it was a problem with the loose, old leather belt so I replaced it. After this, however, the same thing happened. After some tinkering, now it won”t spin at all after I crank it. I’m assuming it’s a problem with the spring? If so, can someone explain in detail how to replace the spring (what to unscrew, how to handle it, etc)? I’m new to this and don’t want to mess anything up.

Some picture would be helpful.


Kevan

I doubt very much it's the main spring. Sounds more like your belt tensioner isn't rotating and/or your half nut needs adjusting.
Does the motor run when wound and the leather belt is disengaged?

Also, which Edison model A is it?
A Standard, Gem, Home, Triumph?
These were all made as Model A's but are completely different machines.

Sorry for the late response, I’ve been busy. I’ve attached some pictures of the motor and outside. The belt tensioner seems to rotate fine and I don’t know how to tell whether the half but needs to be adjusted or not. It’s a Home by the way, sorry I should’ve mentioned that. Also, the motor runs completely fine when I take off the belt.

Everything looks dry as a bone. Try oiling the lead screw and the end bearings on the mandrel shaft, as well as the motor. Also, the rod that the carriage slides on.

JerryVan wrote:Everything looks dry as a bone. Try oiling the lead screw and the end bearings on the mandrel shaft, as well as the motor. Also, the rod that the carriage slides on.

Use light weight oil like sewing machine oil on the lead screw, and only sparingly.

Hi Zach,
So far it sounds like the motor seems to run fine without the belt installed. Lightly lubricate the moving parts as mentioned above.

Before you reinstall the belt try doing a couple of tests that may help figure this out:

1. With the carriage up and tilted back away from the feed screw and the end gate closed and locked, try spinning the mandrel by hand. It should spin very freely within the end bearings. If it binds at all try loosening the bearing in the end gate just enough to allow free rotation.

2. If you pass this test now lower the carriage with its feed nut onto the feed screw (into playing position). Try spinning the mandrel again. It should still spin freely but you should also notice that the carriage is moving in one direction or the other depending on which way you're spinning the mandrel. If the carriage is not moving or is sticking then you need to adjust the feed nut bar so that the feed nut engages with the feed screw JUST ENOUGH so that it moves the carriage completely across the length of the feed screw with as little resistance as possible. Edison Homes and Triumphs can be very finicky about that adjustment. The feed nut/feed screw marriage needs to be just right for playing cylinders.

3. Install the belt, crank her up good and lower the carriage into play position without a cylinder mounted. Watch the carriage for proper movement. Let us know if anything changes.

Doug

FellowCollector wrote:Hi Zach,
So far it sounds like the motor seems to run fine without the belt installed. Lightly lubricate the moving parts as mentioned above.

Before you reinstall the belt try doing a couple of tests that may help figure this out:

1. With the carriage up and tilted back away from the feed screw and the end gate closed and locked, try spinning the mandrel by hand. It should spin very freely within the end bearings. If it binds at all try loosening the bearing in the end gate just enough to allow free rotation.

2. If you pass this test now lower the carriage with its feed nut onto the feed screw (into playing position). Try spinning the mandrel again. It should still spin freely but you should also notice that the carriage is moving in one direction or the other depending on which way you're spinning the mandrel. If the carriage is not moving or is sticking then you need to adjust the feed nut bar so that the feed nut engages with the feed screw JUST ENOUGH so that it moves the carriage completely across the length of the feed screw with as little resistance as possible. Edison Homes and Triumphs can be very finicky about that adjustment. The feed nut/feed screw marriage needs to be just right for playing cylinders.

3. Install the belt, crank her up good and lower the carriage into play position without a cylinder mounted. Watch the carriage for proper movement. Let us know if anything changes.

Doug

You will have to bed the flat metal bar that has the half nut on it that applies pressure on the feed screw. Be careful and do it gradually some small use some pressure in the bending several times till it is right. As he says this is critical. Also make sure he roller or belt tensioner is lubed and free. That is the roller underneath that rests against the belt. Nice home to get going. You will enjoy it. Also make sure the belt is not hitting the base plate as you can adjust it back and forth by moving the whole upper works. Look straight down at it. Tom

One more point: – I have a Home B which showed exactly the same problem until I smeared a very little light oil along the straight-edge on which the front end of the carrier-arm rests. There was no rust on the straight-edge and the arm had seemed to move freely along it with the half-nut disengaged, but this film of oil made all the difference between an unusable machine, which lost speed instantly when the stylus touched the cylinder, and a perfectly serviceable one. Obviously everything else which has been mentioned is important too.

Oliver Mundy.

Sorry it’s taken me a few months to reply here. I tried everything posted in this thread and none of it worked so I put this project on the shelf for a while. I’m ready to start working on it again, so does anyone have anymore ideas?